1. HANDLING SUICIDAL CRY’S

2. Who are Suicidal People? Most suicidal people do not want to die. They have fallen out of love with life, but they are not ready to embrace death. They are generally seeking relief from an intolerable situation in which they are experiencing more stress than they can stand.

3. What is Crisis Intervention? The action of coming into a situation that has reached a critical phase in order to modify and defuse the situation.

4. Levels of Crisis Pre-symptomatic LevelSymptomatic Level Crucial Level Acute Level

5. MYTHS ABOUT SUICIDE People who talk about suicide don’t kill themselves. Very few people ever think about suicide. Only certain types of people commit suicide. Suicide among young people is increasing. People who commit suicide really want to die. When a person talks about suicide, you should change the subject to get their mind off of it.

6. The Real Truth… 8 out of 10 people who actually commit suicide tell someone that they are thinking of hurting themselves prior to doing it. Many people consider suicide at some point in their lives, although most never attempt it. Suicide occurs in every racial, ethnic and religious group. Age is not a determining factor, nor is gender or financial status.

7. The Real Truth… The suicide rate for youth has tripled in the last 10 years. Suicide among young people ranks second only to accidents as a cause of death and suicide for black youth is 50% higher than the national average for all ages. Most people that kill themselves are confused about whether they want to die. Suicide is often intended as a cry for help. When someone mentions suicide, listen carefully and take them seriously.

8. Married people are the least likely to commit suicide. Women attempt suicide more than men, but men are more effective at self-destruction. A higher percentage of African Americans than whites attempt suicide, but more whites actually kill themselves.

9. Native Americans have the highest rates of both substance abuse and suicide. The number of AIDS victims committing suicide has risen. People who are loners and people in high stress jobs are also at risk. Those who have made previous attempts, even if only once, are the highest risk.

10. Suicide is usually the result of a long term, gradual wearing away process called Suicidal Erosion.

11. Uncertainty by the Suicidal Person When you have opposite feelings about the same event at the same time. The emotional state most closely associated with the suicidal person’s behavior.

12. for Suicide Escape from an intolerable situation. To end an unresolvable conflict. To improve his/her conditions. To gain attention. To manipulate others. To be punished. To avoid being punished.

13. for Suicide To control when death will occur. To punish survivors. Wanting revenge. Responding to a voice during a “command hallucination.”

14. HopelessnessHelplessnessHaplessness

15. Building Hope Practice these responding styles with people with whom you come in contact. Be aware of what you do–how you react–in stressful situations. Keep a calm, soothing, even tone of voice. Try to establish a relationship with the person.

16. Building Hope Quickly reinforce the person for having come to you. Be accepting, non-judgmental, warm, friendly and supportive. Show confidence and concern. Let the person know how good you are at this kind of work. Reassure the person that there is no question that you are there to help.

17. What Can You Do? Establish a bond. Keep finding things you have in common with the person. Reassure the person that their problems have temporary, not permanent solutions.

18. Ask directly, “Have you done anything yet?” Separate the person from the suicidal means. Become more directive and persistent when trying to get the person to take some positive action. Surround the person with a wall of support. Alert the person’s family physician/therapist, if there is one.

19. Direct Questions What problems have you thinking of harming yourself? Do you have the means available? Have you ever attempted suicide? What has been keeping you alive so far? Would you harm yourself? What do you think the future holds for you?

20. of Helping Take away the accessibility to the means the person wants to use to harm themselves. Always try to take a positive approach by emphasizing the most desirable alternatives. T h e

21. of Helping Mention the person’s family as a source of strength. Confirm the person’s intention. Foster the person’s intentions by exploring what the consequences of their actions might be. Pause between sentences to think before you speak. The

22. of Helping Keep control of your own emotions. Remain non-judgmental. Identify the person’s frustrations levels, emotions and problems that led to the crisis. The

23. of Helping Be a good listener. Expect the unexpected. The

24. of Helping DON’T make the person think you are the ultimate authority in the event. DON’T be shocked by anything the person tells you. DON’T stress the negative aspect the suicide will have on the person’s family. T h e

25. of Helping DON’T engage in a debate. DON’T let your ego get in the way of a successful intervention. DON’T get too emotionally involved – and it is difficult not to. The